Homeowners love the warmth of solid hardwood, but years of traffic, pets, and Florida humidity can dull even the toughest finish. When your planks need new life, the first question is usually price. At CountBricks, we calculate the cost to refinish hardwood floors per sq ft with our AI-powered estimating engine, live voice capture, and real-time material pricing. Below, we break down every factor that shapes your budget so you can plan with confidence.
The phrase sounds simple, yet refinishing costs vary by board width, species, layout, and site conditions. CountBricks captures these nuances during a quick voice walk-through or a digital blueprint takeoff. Instead of a generic average, you get a tailored price per square foot for your exact home.
• Surface preparation: furniture moving, plastic draping, nail set, and minor repairs
• Mechanical sanding: progression from 36-grit cut to 120-grit polish
• Edge and corner work: hand held detail sanders where machines can’t reach
• Dust containment: HEPA vacuums and negative air setups to protect indoor air
• Stain or natural sealer: premium low-VOC products matched to your décor
• Topcoat systems: water-based, oil-modified, or commercial urethane
• Cleanup and final walk-through: ensuring sheen consistency and homeowner sign-off
CountBricks’ most recent residential projects in the Orlando metro average:
• $3.25 – $3.75 per sq ft for clear coat renewal on well-maintained floors
• $4.00 – $4.75 per sq ft for full sand-down plus one-color stain
• $5.50 – $6.50 per sq ft for dark stains, pattern borders, or water damage repairs
Remember, these are mid-range indicators. Your home may fall above or below depending on unique site variables captured in your CountBricks.com estimate.
• Floor thickness: Thinner veneers on engineered boards limit sanding passes and require gentler, slower machining
• Access and staging: Upper-story condos without elevators need additional labor for material handling
• HVAC management: Refinishing during humid months demands longer cure times and sometimes temporary dehumidifiers
• Furniture storage: Off-site pods or on-site stacking change labor hours and square footage reached each day
• Unexpected subsurface issues: Loose boards, squeaks, or prior water intrusion can add repair line items
1. Voice or blueprint intake: You describe spaces while our AI captures dimensions in seconds
2. Instant materials map: CountBricks pulls real-time sandpaper, stain, and finish pricing from local suppliers
3. Task sequencing: Software calculates labor crews, equipment run-time, and cure periods
4. Live review: We walk you through the estimate on a video call, adjusting scope in real time
5. Digital approval: Sign electronically and lock in scheduling
6. Job execution: Licensed crews follow the automated task list, updating progress in the CountBricks mobile app
7. In-field invoicing: As-built quantities sync to your final invoice—no surprises
Oil-modified polyurethanes remain popular, but CountBricks has seen a rapid shift to waterborne finishes for their low odor and faster return-to-service.
• Oil-modified: budget friendly, amber tone, 8-12 hour recoat
• Single-component waterborne: mid-tier price, clearer color, 3-4 hour recoat
• Two-component commercial: premium cost, superior scratch resistance, <2 hour recoat
Switching from oil-modified to a high-end two-component system can add $0.60 – $0.90 per sq ft, but halves downtime—an important consideration for busy households.
You might rent a drum sander for the weekend, yet 80% of DIY floors need professional correction later. Issues include chatter marks, edge dish outs, and uneven stain absorption. The CountBricks advantage is clear:
• AI-driven accuracy: tight material ordering reduces waste and cost overruns
• Experienced technicians: factory-trained on modern dustless equipment
• Warranty: every CountBricks refinish carries a written one-year surface warranty
Because CountBricks tracks live square-foot costs, we can split your project into phases or provide monthly payment portals synced to milestones. Visit CountBricks.com/services for financing options.
• Combine rooms: larger continuous areas reduce mobilization fees
• Choose natural finish: skipping stain removes a labor cycle
• Schedule off-season: January and August carry promotional discounts
• Prep furniture yourself: empty rooms shave 5-10% from labor
Ask your CountBricks consultant which tactics fit your timeline and décor goals.
The price to refinish hardwood floors per square foot is never one-size-fits-all. CountBricks merges AI speed with craftsman skill to deliver precise, transparent numbers before a single sander touches wood. Start a voice estimate in under two minutes at CountBricks.com/consultation and breathe new life into every plank—without budget guesswork.
A 1,200 sq ft 1940s bungalow in Winter Park had yellowed shellac and pet scratches. The homeowners wanted a cooler gray stain without losing the home’s historic charm.
• Full sand to raw wood, preserving bevel edges on 2¼” oak strips
• Custom mixed waterborne gray stain matched from the CountBricks sample library
